Offset louver grille

ABSTRACT

A grille having a frame defining a grille opening and for receiving a plurality of first louvers and a plurality of second louvers. The first plane and second plane are separated by a predetermined offset depth to define a gap between adjacent first louvers and second louvers along an axis perpendicular to the plane of the frame. The first louvers can be spaced apart to define a first gap between adjacent first louvers. A second louver can be positioned at the second plane to align with the horizontal gap between adjacent first louvers such that the first and second louvers cooperate to obscure viewing through the grille at least along the axis perpendicular to the plane of the frame.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims the benefit of priority, under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e), to Kenneth J. Jonas et al., U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/101,846, entitled “OFFSET LOUVER GRILLE,” filed on Jan. 9, 2015 (Attorney Docket No. 5978.271PRV), which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document pertains generally, but not by way of limitation, to louvered grilles for ventilation systems.

BACKGROUND

Grilles are often positioned over inlet and outlet openings for ventilation systems to conceal the openings into residential space and any components of the ventilation assembly that may be visible through the opening. Grilles typically include a frame sized to extend around the opening and plurality of louvers positioned within the frame. Each louver is typically angled along a plane parallel to the adjacent louver such that a portion of the louver overlaps with the adjacent louver. This arrangement creates a plurality of air pathways allowing air to pass through the grille and into or out of the opening while obscuring the opening from many viewing angles.

However, this arrangement does not entirely obscure the opening as the opening can be viewed along an axis generally parallel to the angle of the louvers. An added drawback is that sound from the ventilation system that can travel along the generally linear air pathways defined by the louvers allowing the operation of the ventilation system to be heard within the space. As the primary function of the ventilation system is to move air through a space, the louvers are often thinly constructed and spaced apart as much as possible to maximize the cross-sectional area of the air pathways to increase the air flow through grille. Similarly, the length of the louvers is often minimized to reduce the length of each air pathway to also improve airflow through the grille. However, increasing the cross-sectional area of the air pathways and shortening the louvers increases the viewing angles through the grille that are not obscured by the louvers as well as increasing the sound transmitted through the grille.

In addition, certain ventilation systems position ventilation components, such as the fan and fan motor, immediately adjacent or in close proximity to the opening. The close proximity of the ventilation components to the opening can result in those components being visible through the grille. In particular, moving components, such as fan blades, can be more easily seen through the air pathways through the grille creating a particularly undesirable aesthetic appearance. Moreover, the close proximity of the moving components and reduced muffling provided by the grille can increase the perceived noise generated by the ventilation system.

OVERVIEW

The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that a problem to be solved can include providing air pathways through a grille that obscures the opening for ventilation assembly and muffles sound generated by the ventilation assembly. In an example, the present subject matter can provide a solution to this problem such as by providing a grille having a frame defining a grille opening and for receiving a plurality of first louvers and a plurality of second louvers. The first louvers can be arranged to extend across the grille opening in a first plane and the second louvers can be arranged to extend across the grille opening in a second plane, wherein the first plane and second plane are separated by a predetermined offset depth to define a gap between adjacent first louvers and second louvers along an axis perpendicular to the plane of the frame. The first louvers can be spaced apart to define a first gap between adjacent first louvers. A second louver can be positioned at the second plane to align with the horizontal gap between adjacent first louvers such that the first and second louvers cooperate to obscure viewing through the grille at least along the axis perpendicular to the plane of the frame. The offset depth between the first and second louvers increases viewing angles that are obscured by the first and second louvers.

The second louvers can be spaced apart to define a second gap between adjacent second louvers. This arrangement of first and second louvers defines a plurality of non-linear airflow paths through the grille opening in which air can flow through the second gaps defined by the second louvers and gaps between the first and second louvers created by the offset depth before exiting through the first gaps defined by the first louvers. The airflow path can be reversed to travel from the first louvers to the second louvers. The non-linear airflow path can prevent viewing through the grille along a viewing angle parallel to the airflow path. In addition, the non-linear airflow path increases the surfaces off which sound traveling through the grille must reflect off thereby increasing the dissipation of the sound as the sound travels through the grille.

In at least one example, the first and second louvers can be sized such that a portion of a first louver overlaps with an adjacent second louver when viewed along the axis perpendicular to the frame. The offset depth between the first and second louvers allows the overlap to be minimized while still obscuring a sufficient amount of the possible viewing angles through the grille. The minimal overlap between the first and second louvers allows for the cross-sectional area of the first and second gaps to be maximized increasing airflow through the grille.

This overview is intended to provide an overview of subject matter of the present patent application. It is not intended to provide an exclusive or exhaustive explanation of the present subject matter. The detailed description is included to provide further information about the present patent application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a grille according to an example of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the grille depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the grille depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the grille depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the grille depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a grille according to an example of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the grille depicted in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the grille depicted in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the grille depicted in FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the grille depicted in FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of the grille depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the grille depicted in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a grille according to an example of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the grille depicted in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the grille depicted in FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a top view of the grille depicted in FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the grille depicted in FIG. 13.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a grille according to an example of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a front view of the grille depicted in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a side view of the grille depicted in FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the grille depicted in FIG. 18.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional side view of the grille depicted in FIG. 13.

FIG. 23 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the grille depicted in FIG. 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As depicted in FIGS. 1, 6 13 and 23, a grille 30, according to an example of the present disclose, can include a frame 32, a plurality of first louvers 34 and at least one second louver 36. The frame 32 can include an inner surface 38 having a predetermined width and defining a frame opening. The plurality of first louvers 34 can be mounted to the inner surface 38 of the frame 32 such that first louvers 34 extend across the frame opening and are spaced apart from the adjacent first louvers 34. The plurality of second louvers 36 can similarly be mounted to the inner surface 38 of the frame 32 such that the second louvers 34 extend across the frame opening and are spaced apart from the adjacent second louvers 36. The first louvers 34 are positioned in a first plane A and the second louvers 36 are positioned in a second plane B parallel to the first plane A and separated by an offset distance D. The second louvers 36 are positioned offset from the first louvers 34 such that each second louver 36 aligns with gap between the corresponding adjacent first louvers 34 as illustrated in FIGS. 11-12 and 22-23. In this configuration, the first and second louvers 34, 36 can define a non-linear airflow path in which air travels through the gap between adjacent second louvers 36 and the gap between adjacent first louvers 34, which is offset from the gap between the second louvers 36.

As depicted in FIGS. 1, 5-6, 9-10, 13, 16-18 and 21, in an example, the frame 32 can comprise a frame member 40 defining the inner surface 38 and frame opening. As depicted in FIGS. 1, 6 13 and 23, the frame member 40 is shaped such that the frame opening is rectangular having a pair of parallel primary edges 42 and a pair of parallel secondary edges 44 transverse to the primary edges 42. In certain examples, the frame member 40 can be shaped such that the frame opening is circular, polygonal or other conventional shape corresponding to a wall or ceiling opening for a ventilation system. In an example, the frame member 40 can further include a shroud portion 46 extending radially outward from the frame opening.

In an example, the frame member 40 can include at least one engagement element 48 that can be secured to a wall or ceiling mount for securing the frame 32 to a wall or ceiling. In this configuration, the shroud portion 46 can extend over the engagement element 48 to conceal the engagement element 44 when the frame 32 is mounted to the wall or ceiling. In at least one example, the engagement elements 48 are positioned along the secondary edges 44 of the frame member 40.

As depicted in FIGS. 1-21, in an example, the plurality of first louvers 34 are positioned to extend between the primary edges 42 of the frame member 40 such that the first louvers 34 are parallel to the secondary edges 44. The first louvers 34 are positioned on the frame member 40 within the second plane A. The first louvers 34 are spaced apart to define a plurality of first gaps between adjacent first louvers 34. As depicted in FIGS. 11-12 and 22-23, the first louvers 34 are angled such that each first louver 34 is generally parallel to a plane defined by the frame 32. The first louvers 34 can be angled such that each first louver 34 is angled along a plane parallel to the adjacent first louver 34 and transverse to the plane defined by the frame 32. In at least one example, at least one support strut 50 can be extended between secondary faces 44 to extend between the first louvers 34 to structurally reinforce the primary louvers 34.

As depicted in FIGS. 1-21, in an example, the plurality of second louvers 36 are positioned to extend between the primary edges 42 of the frame member 40 such that the second louvers 36 are parallel to the secondary edges 44. The second louvers 36 are positioned on the frame member 40 within the second plane B. The second louvers 36 are spaced apart to define a plurality of second gaps between adjacent second louvers 36. As depicted in FIGS. 11-12 and 22-23, the second louvers 36 are angled such that each second louver 36 is generally parallel to a plane defined by frame 32. The second louvers 36 can be angled such that each second louver 36 is angled along a plane parallel to the adjacent second louver 36 and transverse to the plane defined by the frame 32. As depicted in the grille 30 includes two pluralities of louvers, but can comprise additional pluralities of louvers.

As depicted in FIGS. 11-12 and 22-23, in an example, the first plane A is separated from the second plane B by the offset distance D. In at least one example, the first plane A is adjacent the outer side of the frame 32 and the second plane B is positioned adjacent an inner side of the frame 32 such that the second plane B is proximate the ventilation system opening when the frame 32 is mounted to the wall.

In an example, the second louvers 36 can be offset from the first louvers 34 such that each second louver 36 is positioned to align with a first gap between two adjacent first louvers 34. In at least one example, the first louvers 34 and the second louvers 36 can be sized such that a portion of corresponding first and second louvers 34, 36 overlap along an axis perpendicular to the plane of the frame 32. In this configuration, at least one airflow path is defined between a second gap between adjacent second louvers 36 and a first gap between adjacent first louvers 34 that is offset from the corresponding second gap along the axis perpendicular to the plane.

Each of these non-limiting examples can stand on its own, or can be combined in any permutation or combination with any one or more of the other examples.

The above detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the present subject matter can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition to those shown or described. However, the present inventors also contemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examples using any combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described herein.

In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and any documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in this document controls.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device, article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the present subject matter should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A grille, comprising: a frame defining a grille opening and a grille plane, wherein the grille opening is positioned within the grille plane; a plurality of first louvers arranged in a first plane to extend over a first region of the grille opening, wherein a first horizontal gap is defined between adjacent first louvers; a plurality of second louvers arranged in a second plane to extend over a second region of the grille opening, wherein a second horizontal gap is defined between adjacent second louvers; wherein the second louvers are offset horizontally from the first louvers such that at least one second louver is aligned with each first horizontal gap along an axis perpendicular to the grille plane.
 2. The grille of claim 1, wherein the second louvers each have a second width corresponding to a width of the corresponding first horizontal gap.
 3. The grille of claim 2, wherein at least two of the second louvers are sized to have differing second widths.
 4. The grille of claim 2, wherein the second louvers are universally sized to have uniform second widths.
 5. The grille of claim 1, wherein the first louvers are each aligned with at least one second horizontal gap along the axis perpendicular to the grille plane.
 6. The grille of claim 5, wherein the first louvers each have a first width corresponding to a width of the corresponding second horizontal gap.
 7. The grille of claim 6, wherein at least two of the first louvers are sized to have differing first widths.
 8. The grille of claim 6, wherein the first louvers are universally sized to have uniform first widths.
 9. The grille of claim 1, wherein the first plane is offset from the second plane to define a vertical gap between the first plurality of louvers and the second plurality of louvers along the axis perpendicular to the grille plane.
 10. The grille of claim 9, wherein vertical gap permits viewing through the grille opening along at least one viewing axis transverse to the axis perpendicular to the grille plane.
 11. The grille of claim 9, wherein offsetting the first and second planes defines a plurality of air flow paths through the grille opening.
 12. A method of obscuring viewing through a grille opening of a grille, comprising: arranging a plurality of first louvers in a first plane to extend over a first region of the grille opening, wherein a first horizontal gap is defined between adjacent first louvers; arranging a plurality of second louvers in a second plane to extend over a second region of the grille opening, wherein a second horizontal gap is defined between adjacent second louvers; wherein the second louvers are offset horizontally from the first louvers such that at least one second louver is aligned with each first horizontal gap along an axis perpendicular to the grille plane.

vertical gap permits viewing through the grille opening along at least one viewing axis transverse to the axis perpendicular to the grille plane.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second louvers each have a second width corresponding to a width of the corresponding first horizontal gap.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: sizing at least two of the second louvers to have differing second widths.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the first louvers are each aligned with at least one second horizontal gap along the axis perpendicular to the grille plane.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: sizing at least two of the first louvers to have differing first widths.
 17. The method of claim 12, further comprising: offsetting the first plane from the second plane to define a vertical gap between the first plurality of louvers and the second plurality of louvers along the axis perpendicular to the grille plane.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein vertical gap permits viewing through the grille opening along at least one viewing axis transverse to the axis perpendicular to the grille plane.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein offsetting the first and second planes defines a plurality of air flow paths through the grille opening. 